Angie's List: Behold The Backsplash

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Until recently, remodeling a kitchen centered around new cabinets, countertops and dramatic islands. But, one of the hot trends in home decorating focuses on the long-neglected area between your cabinets and countertops.

The sweet sound of freshly cut tile is music to the ears of Sandy Schwarz who decided the time was right to update her kitchen after 26 years.

"It was a little bit outdated and I'd seen some beautiful backsplash and countertops out there and I just wanted a new look and I thought it'd be real exciting to do that," Schwarz said.

She found a countertop she loved and paired it with a backsplash she loved designing – a unique combination of tile, glass and stone.

"There's a lot more creativity when it comes to a backsplash these days. You're seeing people not only install them between the counter and the cabinet, but also above the top of the cabinets. Additionally, think about how you want it installed. It could be done vertically, horizontally, even diagonally to give it a different look," Angie's List founder, Angie Hicks said.

"People are being more creative and then they're seeing what others are doing – not only just their friends, but now they're seeing what they're doing across the country and across the world," kitchen remodeler Geoff Horen said.

Horen said he didn't used to do many backsplashes during a remodel. Now, it's rare when he doesn't do one. And it doesn't have to be elaborate to be eye-catching.

"Most of the time I tell people: if you're thinking in the range of $1,800 to $2,000, you're going to get a nice backsplash, and then what you come up with is your own creativity," he said.

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Kitchens are often the heart of a home, where each day begins and everyone gathers. Hicks said a new backsplash should reflect your personality with little regard for resale value.

"I always use the five-year rule. If you're going to be there five years or more, then in my mind, you do what's going to make you happy and resale becomes less of an issue," Horen said.

Experts said mosaic patterns with a mix of glass and stone have become really popular these days. The glass tiles can come in about any color, but they're expensive at nearly $20 per square foot.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles also continue to be popular and are less expensive at $4 to $5 per square foot.